So maybe you're curious or really need some tips on the whole
"owner-builder" building process, but maybe you want to get with the
Green kick and learn about eco-friendly, healthy or energy efficient
features and methods that are in use today...of so, then you're welcome to visit our green dream home blog at:sjodindreamhome.blogspot.com

We
want to implement the latest and best green design principles in the
most cost-effective and/or affordable way. We are in the process of
building our home in Austin, Texas (one of the hottest places in the
U.S.) and feel we will be a good test case being in such a warm climate
where we live in energy-sucking, air-conditioned abodes.

We
want to do a lot ourselves (DIY) and are trying our hardest to minimize
costs without compromising quality. It's not an easy feat, but we are
up for the challenge! Please visit us again to see our progress.Reply...

Terrific blog and house. I was excited to see you are using an Ifo toilet since I was part of the team that introduced them to the US back in the 80's. We had a heck of a time getting approval for them in the US since we were up against the established plumbing industries supporting the 3.5 gallon toilets and here comes some upstart Swedish company with technology for one-gallon toilets! Happily, the 1.6 gallon toilet is pretty much standard now. Hopefully other green technologies will take root more quickly and allow better, healthier housing for more people. Have you taken a look at Durock SIP panels from Protec? Here's a link, finpan.net/protec/projects.html Aloha, Guy.

Just found another interesting website you might consider for
waste water technology. aeswastewater.com. They are trying
to provide an alternative to an expensive wastewater treatment facility
here in California. Aloha, Guy.

Thanks for coming by! What a coincidence you used to work for Ifö! I truly believe that coincidences mean something... :-) also, thanks for the link, I'll be reading up on it. I am so glad you were instrumental in bringing Swedish toilets over here, as my husband who is from Sweden, says that there are no such things as toilet plungers in Sweden! In fact, he couldn't find the Swedish word for it. :-)

Myleen, we also own two lots in Odessa, TX I bought through an "investment" seminar. We visited them in 2005 to consider building some spec homes. However, we couldn't believe how cheap houses go for there compared with California, so we decided to wait for now. How are prices kept so low in Texas? Is labor all at minimum wage? We figure $140/sf not including land is typical for basic construction in CA so a 1,600 sf home should cost $224,000.00, but in Odessa they were selling for $99,000 NEW! Of course it was Odessa... and the only green construction technology I saw was xeriscape landscaping around the oil wells. I couldn't believe Odessa actually had a separate "Black" Chamber of Commerce also! That must explain the Twilight Zone pricing difference! Odessa is stuck in the 1960's! Anyway, good luck on your project and please keep posting to your blog and here. Have you checked out fabprefab.com/fabfiles/home yet? Great design and materials ideas there. Aloha, Guy

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